How to Drink Tequila Like a Real Agave Farmer

You may have noticed a curious thing at your local liquor store or bar recently: a massive, horn-shaped shot glass branded by the folks at Hornitos. Well, it's not entirely a gimmick. Or at least, it's a gimmick with historical precedent: At the turn of the 17th century, when the first tequila factory was established in Jalisco, Mexico, agave distillers didn't have access to drinking glasses, according to Joanne Weir in Tequila: A Guide to Types, Flights, Cocktails, and Bites, so "it was initially served in the hollowed-out tip of a bull's horn, called a cuernito or caballito" (example above right). Since they didn't have many of those, either, they'd gulp the liquid down and pass the horn along to the next person. Thus the tequila shot, and a Cancun tourist tradition, was born.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Inspired by those agave farmers of bygone days, Hornitos has released a shot glass that feels like a bit of work, too. Since the bottom ends in a rounded tip, you can't set it down when there's liquid in it — and you'll have a hell of a time setting up the traditional collegiate lime-and-salt shot by yourself. Now, there's plenty you can do with your tequila besides chug it — we have some suggestions — but if you're feeling especially adventurous on Cinco de Mayo, we won't dissuade you from drinking out of an instrument that looks like it could legitimately gore someone. It's also almost big enough to hold in your palm like a highball. And while all that extra glass doesn't actually translate into a higher-volume shot, it will look nice on a shelf. And then you'll have a story to tell. Which is, of course, the whole point.